IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Westgate Road, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE1 5XU

An exceptionally pure palazzo, all the details very accomplished (Image]). Built in 1864-65 as the County Court to the designs of Charles Reeve. Grade II listed. Solicitors' offices at the time.

The ground floor windows have voussoirs with vermiculated rustication and masked keystones. Fine mouldings above, including plain paterae to the second floor. Full view: Image

Built 1864 (the date is carved below the cornice above the ground floor) in the classical style of the period thought suitable for public buildings, although with unusual inventiveness in the treatment of the window surrounds; the Royal Arms can be seen over the archway on the left. The building is Grade II listed http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1024731 ; the listing includes the piers, railings and gate at the front. The Buildings of Grainger Town - No.188. See Image

Built 1861, by J E Watson for C J Gibb; Watson also designed the former bank immediately to the east: Image and Image Classical features such a pilasters and balustrades are not used in such a pure way here; the stone porch must be a later addition. The building is Grade II listed http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1355327 . The Buildings of Grainger Town - No.189. See Image

Big palazzo, perfectly fine but put in the shade somewhat by its neighbour (Image]). This was built in 1861 for Dr Gibb as his house and surgery, and designed by J.E. Watson. Grade II listed. Offices of solicitors, Samuel Phillips.

On Fenkle Street in Newcastle. Built in the 1770's for dancing and social gatherings, as such places became very popular in the 18th century. Not many buildings of this date survive in Newcastle's city centre, which is mainly late Georgian or Victorian.

The fashion for assemblies started around 1710 in England and initially provided places for cards and conversation. They were later used for public occasions, dancing, match-making and formal dining. The building was designed by William Newton 1774-76 in a Greek Classical style. It was fitted out with 7 Rococo chandeliers made of 10,000 pieces of hand-cut crystals. Charles Dickens played here on 27 August 1852 and Strauss gave a concert on 21 October 1838. Edward VII, George V and George VI have all visited the assembly rooms. There is another photo here Image In 1967 the building fell into disrepair and was proposed for demolition in 1974. However it was bought by the Michaelides family and restored to its former glory. On 31 December 1777 a young woman threw herself off the musician's gallery to her death on the ballroom floor below. Her ghost is said to haunt the building, accompanied by the rustling noise of a taffeta ball dress and the scent of lavender. Tyne and Wear HER (6981): Newcastle, Fenkle Street, Assembly Rooms http://www.twsitelines.info

Built 1774-76, by William Newton. A splendid neo-classical, symmetrical building with Greek columns and handsome but simple windows. The building is Grade II* listed http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1355256 . The Buildings of Grainger Town - No.187. See Image

A supremely elegant work of William Newton, 1774-76, consisting of a three-bay pedimented centrepiece (Image]) and lower wings, all tied together by the rusticated ground floor and first-floor band. The entrance canopy belongs to Austin, Johnson & Hicks's 1882 alterations. Grade II* listed. Now a venue for hire. ============================================================================== Newton (1730-98) was one of a breed of skilled, provincial builder-architects who, during the C18th and C19th, created substantial parts of the built fabric of the country that we see today. He spent the whole of his life in Newcastle and established a large practice in the region, mostly building or remodelling country houses, but also designing a number of public buildings and housing in the city. Colvin's Dictionary of British Architects describes him as a "competent but conventional Georgian architect whose work is sometimes elegant, always pleasing, but never remarkable." ==============================================================================

The pedimented centrepiece with giant attached Ionic columns grouped 2-1-1-2. Full view: Image